The Chippewa County Department of Public Health is responsible for licensing and inspecting approximately 433 food facilities throughout the Chippewa County communities. These communities include Bloomer, Boyd, Cadott, Chippewa Falls, Cornell, Holcombe, Jim Falls, New Auburn, and Stanley.

 

Food establishment inspections are conducted by Environmental Health Specialists. These professionals work closely with the Department of Health Services and the Department of Agriculture to have all the latest training and education related to food safety in conjunction with the Wisconsin Food Code.

 

Keep in mind that an inspection report is a “snapshot” of the day and time of the inspection. On any given day, a food facility could have fewer or more violations than are noted in the report. An inspection conducted on any given day may not be representative of the overall, long-term operation of a food facility.

 

A facility that serves food to the public is required by law to obtain a license. These licenses are issued following a pre-license inspection to confirm compliance with food safety standards. Routine inspections during subsequent operation of the facility assess the operator’s ability to ensure that day to day operations are conducted in a safe and sanitary manner.

 

During a routine inspection the Environmental Specialists will follow the flow of food throughout the facility and discuss food safety practices with food service employees as well as observe and verif y use of proper food safety practices and procedures.

 

The inspection is focused on identifying risk factors and good retail practices in addition to providing education and information on proper food safety practices.

 

Risk Factors include:

*Poor personal hygiene * Food from unsafe sources

*Inadequate/Improper cooking *Improper holding temperatures

*Contaminated equipment

 

Good Retail Practices include:

* Practices or procedures that focus on general sanitation in the food facility

 

If deficiencies are observed during routine inspections, they are described in an inspection report with reference to a relevant section of the Wisconsin Food Code. Deficiencies that result in immediate health hazards to the public are generally corrected immediately.

 

Chippewa County Environmental Health Specialists also provide other important program services including:

• Public Pools

• Lodging Establishments

• Campground Establishments

• Recreational Education Campgrounds

• Tattoo Artists/Body Piercers

• Human Health Hazards